Advertisement

Advertising

New and Small Business

Business Information Factsheets. Each factsheet contains the vital information you need to know on anything from 'Absence and Sickness' to 'Promoting your Business on the World Wide Web.' Contact us to have factsheets faxed or posted to you at a nominal charge.

Locate your business Up My Street (www.upmystreet.com). Enter a postcode to find out about residential property prices, school performance, public services, local crime, local politics and local commercial and public facilities. The desired location can be compared in all aspects to the national average. If you are wanting to locate in Birmingham you can get detailed information on population, labour market and economy at ward level from Birmingham City Council's Economic Development Department

Bankruptcy and insolvency (www.insolvency.gov.uk). Information for creditors, directors and individuals facing issues of bankruptcy and insolvency.

Grants and Funding

Did you know, 93% of small and medium sized enterprises are not taking advantage of grants available to them?

Contact your local Business Links Office for advice on grants and funding available nationally and in your area in particular. To find your local Business Links Office see the Government's Small Business Service Web Site (www.businesslink.gov.uk)

Business support schemes (www.dti.gov.uk). Initiatives from the DTI and other parts of Government are presented by industry sector and under sections covering business performance, expanding your business, innovation and technology, environmental matters, regulations and European matters.

British Venture Capital Association (www.bvca.co.uk). BVCA promotes private equity and venture capital for the benefit of entrepreneurs and others. This site explains what venture capital is and how to go about obtaining it, as well as providing the contacts you will need.

j4b (www.j4b.co.uk) For comprehensive advice on how to obtain grants, financial assistance, subsidy and help in kind - ranging from 0 to illions. Site enables searching, to produce tailored results on the best grant for you and how to go about applying for it.

Government Support and Regulatory Information

The Government's Small Business Service (www.businesslink.gov.uk) web site is the most comprehensive source of information on starting and developing your business. The site provides direct links to the relevant regulations and pertinent advice. Under 'business topics' you will find valuable advice and information on diverse subjects such as 'quality control and standards', 'business training' and 'finding suppliers and managing your supply chain'. Information is also targeted at different types of business.

See also the Small Business Service - an agency of the DTI - www.berr.gov.uk

Startbusiness (www.startbusiness.co.uk). Aimed specifically at those setting up in business and the self-employed, this website is informal in style and promises a human response to your start up questions within 24 hours. There is an invaluable 'What About?' section which provides tips and answers to the most common start up questions. Examples include: What about a form of trading? What about registering the business? There is also advice on marketing, grants and finance, and writing business plans.

Companies House (www.companieshouse.co.uk). See the 'Guidance Booklets & FAQs' for information on company formation and company names. After reading advice on choosing a company name, you can search the Company Name Index to determine the likely suitability of your choice.

Obtaining a franchise British Franchise Association (www.thebfa.org). Information and advice on how to obtain a franchise, as well as a list of members (franchisers) who have demonstrated successful franchising over a two year period.

Smallbusinessadvice.org.uk (www.smallbusinessadvice.org.uk). A site provided by the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies which offers an e-mail enquiry service, as well as news, articles and general advice. E-mail enquiries are dealt with by Accredited Business Advisors who are assigned to you on the basis of your postcode so that he or she has local knowledge of your area (service is available only to those wanting to set up in business in England).

Homeworking (www.homeworking.com) This site covers a wide range of information for those looking for information about running a business from home or working for somebody else from home.